821.796/229: Telegram
The Ambassador in Colombia ( Lane ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:15 p.m.]
1392. Department’s 994, August 11, 11 p.m. La Spina and Mayer have consulted Urdaneta who strongly advises against changes suggested in letter of July 24 from Rubber Development Corporation to Mayer (see my 1336, August 4, 1 p.m.). La Spina and Mayer agree with Urdaneta that the changes suggested do not essentially affect the sense of the proposed decree and if insisted upon might seriously prejudice the issuance of decree. At present Colombian Government is granting Rubber Development privileges proposed in agreement in not charging landing tax for planes chartered by Rubber Development landing on Government-owned airfields. These privileges might be endangered by proposing changes or delaying issuance of decree.
As original proposal for contract emanated from Defense Supplies Corporation and as this was accepted by Colombian Government with certain exceptions, which were subsequently waived, we have consistently considered that Colombian Government is in agreement with our views in principle. As evidence of understanding we refer to the Embassy’s message to Bicknell (see Embassy’s telegram No. 1312, July 30, 10 p.m. [a m])77 stating that Ministry of War is about ready to sign the resolution in bringing the airport agreement in force, which was answered by Allen’s message to Mayer (see Department’s telegram No. 969, August 3, 6 p.m.77) Please also see Embassy’s telegrams 142, February [January] 20, 10 p.m., No. 284, February 13, 11 a.m., and 587, April 2, 11 p.m., and Department’s telegram 71, January 18, 8 p.m., 175, February 11, 5 [7] p.m., and 580, May 4.78
Mayer airmailing complete text of proposed resolution.